LES Bettinson is fully expecting little Rob Burrow to stand tall and stamp his class on the Rugby League World Cup.

The Leeds Rhinos scrum-half can be England's hero in Australia according to Bettinson, who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level of international rugby.

As a coach, he not only led Salford to championship success but was also a key member of the Great Britain management team who set out to smash Australian supremacy.

In the late 70s and early 80s the home nation invariably came up short against the invincible Kangaroos but Les now believes the balance of power has evened itself out.

He is refreshingly optimistic of England's chances Down Under with Tony Smith at the helm and Burrows going into the tournament on the back of a Grand Final super show.

"So many people have been in pursuit of rugby league's holy grail for so long now but I really do think England could do very well," Bettinson said.

"In my time, we used to say if `only we'd done that' or `if only that had happened.' But I now feel Smith, who is a good coach, has got as good a chance as anyone of delivering.

"The Super League product has gone on improving and our players now have a comparable chance with those who play in the Sydney competition. This didn't use to be the case.

Preparation

"We would see the likes of Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga and would feel they were on another planet but our game has come on from those days.

"This is not just a matter of team selection, the preparation is very important in fact and this also looks good.

"It's down to what the players can deliver but it's now a far more even playing field than we have seen in World Cup Challenge games. Match winners have to appear from somewhere, though, and I just feel at half-back with Burrow and his Leeds team-mate Danny McGuire plus Leon Pryce from Saints, we have the pace.

"The Australians possibly have a couple of better centres but I'm sure we will certainly compete up-front in the pack.

"Jamie Peacock always gives 100 per cent, and I'm hoping that Adrian Morley's experience proves invaluable and that he goes well.

"Mickey Higham has had an outstanding season, James Roby can also contribute and James Graham is another good young forward who has displayed absolutely no fear whatsoever this season. He's had a great season.

"The key factor is that our players are no longer in awe of the opposition. We've seen them produce the goods in the big games," added Bettinson.

"But I'm just hoping that Burrow's time has come because he has all the attributes and this could be the stage on which he really shines.

"He's a terrific player, we have a good squad, the players are all fit and can go to Australia knowing they can compete.

"There's nothing mysterious about what is needed to win, I just hope we do it."

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